In Texas its not called "Wrestling" we call it "Wrasslin'", and for a time Dallas was one of the 7 wonders of the Wrassling world. We had the Sportatorium and the Von Erich clan. In those days what we in the business call "kayfabe" was alive and well. Basically it means you carry the suspension of disbelief with you at all times. That meant that Faces and Heels never traveled, socialised or were even seen together. You lived your gimmick any time the public saw you. What that meant if you were a heel was that you could be an asshole to strangers and they loved you for it. That time has come and gone; sure current wrestlers will most likely respond to you in character but we all know The Undertaker isn't really a dead man and I doubt you would ever see Abullah the Butcher stabbing people with a fork at Golden Corral.
I am going to set the record strait once and for all. Yes, the outcome of the match is predetermined but the action IN the ring are as real as they can be without violating the laws of physics or crippling someone. Let me put it to you like this, you can always plan a way to loose a match and still come out on top, you never plan on getting a concussion. Hell i had 4 concussions in 3 years, I went blind once and have accidentally broken peoples noses, wrists, ribs and fingers all in a "fake" wrassling match. Oh and I loved every minute of it. In real life I have only ever been in one fight and I was 12 years old, but when I was Josh "The Inferno" Sterno or Gavin Arliss Young I was a white hot grease fire of pure entertainment. I kicked ass and talked trash. It was SO much fun knowing that for a few hours every weekend that all 135 lbs of me could be considered a force to be reckoned with. All the frustration and stress i had inside I could let out in a flurry of kicks, punches, dives and suplexes and also provide a modest amount of showmanship to my loyal fans. Hindsight IS 20/20 and had I know that now at 29 I would walk like an old man and my hips would bother me when it rains I might have changed my path, but the chances are slim.
I LOVED being part of the crazy circus that was Texas Indy Wrasslin in the 90's. I will always carry the scars and stories i acquired during my brief time in the squared circle with pride. I still hope against up that one day, even if its just one more time i can step back into the ring and still give the people a match worth watching
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